Michail Antonio has signed for Watford as a free agent, agreeing a one-year deal that makes the 36-year-old forward the Hornets' twelfth signing of the summer. He will wear number 18 at Vicarage Road and is currently awaiting international clearance before he can feature.
Watford confirmed the move on Thursday, 11 September. No fee changes hands, since Antonio arrived without a club after his previous contract expired.
Background: from Tooting to West Ham's record books
Antonio began his career at Tooting & Mitcham United before permanent spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, and a Football League Trophy win on loan at Southampton from Reading in 2010. He broke through in the Premier League with West Ham in 2015, scored 68 goals in 268 top-flight appearances, and became West Ham's all-time leading Premier League scorer in 2021 when his 48th goal arrived in a 4-1 win over Leicester City, overtaking Paolo Di Canio's record. He also made 142 Championship appearances and lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League with West Ham in 2023. Born in Wandsworth, the Jamaica international has 24 caps but has not played a game in England since December 2024.
Why Dionisi wanted him
Head coach Alessio Dionisi wants Antonio's experience to balance a young starting eleven, with Watford sitting twelfth in the Championship on 8 points from six games, having won two and drawn two. The Hornets won their last outing 2-1 against Preston on 8 September, Ellis Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia scoring in the second half. Antonio said: "It's a good set of boys here. They are focused and ready to show their abilities this season." He added: "Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can."
What happens next
Antonio is prepared to make himself available ahead of schedule to support Dionisi, and the club hopes he can be included in the squad, which fans can check on the squad page, for Saturday's home match against Stoke City at 3pm on 12 September at Vicarage Road, once clearance is granted. Tickets remain available for that game. Watford's absentee list includes Branimir Mlacic, Edoardo Bove, Jack Grieves, Jeremy Ngakia, Kwadwo Baah and Marc Bola, full details on the injuries page, while the next league fixture after Stoke is away at Bristol City, seventh in the table, on 18 September.
